UniMel - Tangential 3 frame manual s/s extractor

[user 18806]

Seen this extractor for £160. Seems like a good price, but does that mean it's not that good?
Anyone got one, or had one?
Is it worth it for a beginner with 2 hives, or should I be looking elsewhere?
Thanks

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

The question is, where are you going to be in a few years time?
Buy cheap buy twice comes to mind
If you are planning to stick with a few hives, you are better off with a four frame tangential (but a linear basket not a square one) which allows you to extract deep frames if needed. Something like this (others are available from other suppliers ):

https://www.bees-online.co.uk/detail.asp?ID=569&name=4-Frame-Extractor

 

[enrico]

I bought a three frame tangential manual from Thornes many many years ago. I still use it. I had shares in an electric one which I used in my last house but since moving I am back to the original. I have found it really quite therapeutic spinning out by hand again! The beauty is it also takes brood frames.
I will get another electric one......maybe! Or even change this to a drill driven but...... I have really enjoyed it this year being hands on again!
Having your own extractor however small means you can do one box at a time when it is suitable to you!
E

 

[bingevader]

We've a cheap three frame extractor.
It more than meets our needs.
In fact, it gets loaned out more than we use it!
But, as jenkinsbrynmair has said, it depends on your future plans.
If this is only to be a hobby with half a dozen hives at most, then it should be fine.

 

[deemann1]

I bought the UniMel from thornes, its great little extractor and handy for those honey bound bb frames.
But I also have use of association 12 frame extractor with out that I'd be lost .
If I was to choose again I'd buy 6 frame minimum

 

[jeff33]

I bought a 4 frames tangential, pretty handy especially when I need to sort honey bound brood frames. However this year I wish I had bought an electric 9 frames minimum. I didn't expect to increase that much when I bought it so maybe borrow 1 for a couple of years until you know what you want to do.

 

[Dariusz]

Enrico
I really can't stop to comment
therapeutic- I'd love that +naturally acupuncture its all what we need ��
i using 10 frames manual good solid British engineering stainless steels and not change this for electric for any price